Bhopal verdict very unsatisfactory, says Jairam Ramesh

Terming the verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy case as "very unsatisfactory," environment minister Jairam Ramesh today said a green tribunal will be set up by the year-end to ensure that the victims of such disasters get speedy relief.

"It is a matter of deep anguish that it has taken such a long time for the verdict to come out which is clearly very unsatisfactory from every point of view and the furore over it is understandable," Ramesh said.

His comments came a day after a Bhopal court sentenced former Union Carbide India chairman Keshub Mahindra and six others to two years imprisonment each in the gas tragedy case, nearly 26 years after world's worst industrial disaster left over 15,000 dead. The verdict has come under attack from civil rights activists and political parties.

The bill to set up National Green Tribunal, a fast-track court for disposal of environment-related civil cases which has recently been passed by Parliament, would ensure justice to the victims of Bhopal-like disasters, Ramesh said.

The minister hoped that it will become operational by the end of this year.

On contaminated material near the disaster site, Ramesh said three institutes -- National Geophysical Research Institute, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute -- are conducting a study in this regard, which will be completed by the end of this month.

On the issue of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, he said, "I can assure the people that we will be strict in implementing it without fear or favour so that future Bhopals do not recur".

In fact, the EPA was brought by prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in response to the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.     

"While nothing can mitigate the sufferings of the victims of the disaster, we have decided to set up the main bench of the tribunal at Bhopal, the site of one of the worst industrial tragedies," the minister said. "It is a small gesture of tribute to the affected people," he said.     

With Public Interest Litigations (PIL) on environmental issues flooding the courts, the tribunal aims to reduce the  pressure by handling all civil cases relating to forestry and environment. The tribunal will also address all substantial questions relating to environment.

"India is the third country after Australia and New Zealand in the world which will have specialised environment courts," Ramesh pointed out.

The tribunal will have four circuit benches and will deal with all environmental laws on air and water pollution, the EPA, the Forest Conservation Act and the Biodiversity Act giving the citizens a right to file a case against the offenders whether it is a corporate entity or a civic body.